FRANKLIN
Ruth Arnold Park, 89, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2017, at her residence in Franklin.
Ruth was born Nov. 25, 1927, in Franklin Falls, New York, 10th of the 12 children of Isaac and Belle Arnold.
She graduated from Saranac Lake High School and attended Business School in Syracuse, New York. She worked in the conservation department in Saranac Lake, where she was a Scout Leader. In Syracuse, she was the secretary for dean of admissions of the University of Syracuse Medical School.
While there, she met Richard Miller Park while washing dishes at a church supper. They married on Sept. 4, 1955, and moved to Whiteland and then Franklin. She worked with the gifted and talented program at Webb Elementary School for many years.
She and her husband Richard were co-chairs of the Franklin Mayor’s Council on Human Rights, as well the Council on Adoptable Children. She was an active church member at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Whiteland, where she served as the financial secretary, as well as at First Presbyterian Church in Franklin, where she served as an elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher and youth group leader. She was a leader of Ruth Circle, chaired the Christian Education and Mission Committees several times and was instrumental in providing meals for those less fortunate through the church.
Ruth and Richard have 10 children and over the years have cared for more than 40 foster children.
Ruth is survived by her husband Richard; her brother Bob Arnold; her children, Ruth Ellen and John Gallagher, Bob and Kelli Park, Lynn and Jim Cruser, Shari Wilson, Troy and Sharon Park, Kathi and David Bubb, Dee and John Burbrink, John Park, Vicki McFadden, Greg and Jenny Park; and many wonderful grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church, 100 E. Madison St., Franklin. Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 N. Morton Street, (U.S. 31 North) in Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church 100 E. Madison Street, Franklin, IN 46131; Franklin College 101 Branigan Boulevard, Franklin, IN 46131; or the Interchurch Food Pantry 211 Commerce Drive, Franklin, IN 46131.
Online condolences may be sent at www.flinnmaguire.net.
